Opinion / Columnist
ZAPU condemns police brutality in Bulawayo
31 Aug 2016 at 17:30hrs | Views
ZAPU condemns continued and increasing police brutality on citizens and journalists.
This comes after today's arrest in Bulawayo of five BUYA protesters and reporter Chrispen Ndlovu.
In an economy which is failing to provide jobs, its ironic that a government which won a mandate on the promise of two million jobs is arresting citizens who are demanding that it fulfils its promise. It is a constitutional right of citizens to demand accountability from the government on its electoral promises. It is also their right to demand that accountability via public demonstrations.
This particular group notified the police of their intention to exercise their constitutional right.
It is therefore paranoid for government to violate the citizens' rights as constitutionally provided above. It is a highest case of dishonesty for government to let their military might on unarmed and peaceful citizens who are merely exercising their right to demonstrate.
ZAPU therefore demands the immediate and unconditional release of both BUYA protesters and reporter/photographer Chrispen Ndlovu. ZAPU also advises the regime to note that its time up and the people of Zimbabwe will not tolerate misgovernance any longer. The people will not tolerate unconstitutionalism and corruption any longer.
Instead of brutalizing the peaceful citizens, the government should try listening to the people's grievances against the ZANU PF regime that has thrived on fear and intimidation since 1980. people of Zimbabwe are asking to be heard.
People of Zimbabwe are asking for accountable leadership. People of Zimbabwe are asking for the implementation of the Constitution. Bulawayo is particularly asking for implementation of Devolution of Power as espoused in Chapter 13 of the National Constitution.
They are not asking for arbitrary arrests, teargas, or any form of police brutality.
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Iphithule Thembani KaMaphosa <iphithule.thembani.kamaphosa@gmail.com
Source - Iphithule Thembani KaMaphosa
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